Union Square

Your Guide

Although I’ve rarely heard this area called Union Square (perhaps in part, because it is not architecturally a “square,” nor does it feel like you’re in a square when there), it was part of the McMillian Commission’s 1901 redesign plan for Washington, D.C. A major portion of the site encompasses the U.S. Capitol Reflecting Pool -- a large, trapezoidal shallow pool that was envisioned as a counterpoint to the Lincoln Memorial and Capitol. In recent times, the area has become underutilized and lacks proper maintenance. However, a National Mall Design Competition was held in 2011, and the winning design team plans to reorient the reflecting pool and create new terraces in the site, hopefully breathing new life to the area.

One of the notable features on the east side of the reflecting pool is a sculptural memorial honoring Civil War General and U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. The sculpture, one of the largest equestrian sculptures in the world, was created over a period of twenty years by sculptor Henry Merwin Shrady and architect William Pearce Casey. Dedicated in 1922, the memorial consists of a large bronze statue of Grant mounted on his war horse, set on a marble pedestal, and guarded by four lions. Sculpture groups of the Cavalry and Artillery flank Grant to the north and south, respectively. These opposing dramatic sculptures evoke a sense of attack and turbulence, almost as if they may collide or collapse on each other, which contrast with the calm, unmoving statute of Grant at the center, looking west over the reflecting pool. When viewed from afar, the memorial seems to anchor the foot of the U.S. Capitol as a historical marker of the North-South opposition in the Civil War.

Little known fact: The Grant Memorial is the central memorial of a three-part sculptural group including the James A. Garfield Monument to the south and the Peace Monument to the north. See if you can find them, too.

View of the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial

One of the notable features on the east side of the reflecting pool is a sculptural memorial honoring Civil War General and U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. The sculpture, one of the largest equestrian sculptures in the world, was created over a period of twenty years by sculptor Henry Merwin Shrady and architect William Pearce Casey.

Image: Liz Guthrie

Entering the Memorial

Dedicated in 1922, the memorial consists of a large bronze statue of Grant mounted on his war horse, set on a marble pedestal, and guarded by four lions. Sculpture groups of the Cavalry and Artillery flank Grant to the north and south, respectively.

Image: Liz Guthrie

Grant & Cincinnati

The base of sculpture is made of Vermont marble. Infantry panels and sculpture of Grant atop his horse, Cinicinnati, are cast in bronze.

Image: Liz Guthrie

Leading the Cavalry Charge

Image: Liz Guthrie

War Horses

Cavalry Group Heading into Battle

These dramatic sculptures evoke a sense of attack and turbulence, almost as if they may collide or collapse on each other, which contrast with the calm, unmoving statute of Grant, looking west over the reflecting pool. When viewed from afar, the memorial seems to anchor the foot of the U.S. Capitol as a historical marker of the North-South opposition in the Civil War.

The Caisson

Four Lions

Four lions surround Grant on smaller pedestals, guarding the U.S. flag and Army flags.

Image: Liz Guthrie

A Panorama View

My impressions leave me feeling that the Capitol Reflecting Pool is less a destination and more like a gap or pause in the three-dimensionality of the National Mall. This void also suggests a sense of ambiguity in its present form. Stay tuned for the redesign…

Image: Liz Guthrie

2011 Design Competition

The Trust for the National Mall announced the winners of its design competition. Here, the winning design proposal would add two national gardens on either side to better knit the site into existing pathways to Union Station, the Mall, and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.’s undulating Capitol Hill grounds. A smaller reflecting pool, which could drain to become a stage for events, would line up with the central axis of the Mall.

Image: Davis Bond Broy and Gustafson Guthrie Nichol

2011 Design Competition

The winning design would also create a set of terraces that would lead visitors down to cascading fountains and the revamped reflecting pool. These terraces set within new gardens would sub-divide the space and also enhance security.